Solomon began his reign well. He went to Gibeon to the site of the tabernacle of Moses and made a thousand sacrifices. That night, the Lord gave Solomon the chance to wish for anything he desired. As you will read, Solomon made the right choice. Would you?

What Does It Say?

1. Solomon went to Gibeon to the use the brazen __________ that ____________ the son of Uri had made.
2. Solomon came to the altar at the tabernacle of the congregation and offered a ______________ burnt offerings upon it.
3. God said to Solomon, Because this was in thine _________, and thou has not asked riches, wealth, or _________, nor the life of thine enemies, neither yet hast asked long _________.
4. Solomon made silver and gold at Jerusalem to be as plenteous as ___________, and cedar trees as the ____________ trees in abundance.
5. Solomon could get a chariot out of Egypt for _______ hundred shekels of silver and a horse for an hundred and _________.

What Does It Mean?

1. Explain the two tents described in verses 3 and 4. Compare with 1 Chronicles 15:1And David made him houses in the city of David, and prepared a place for the ark of God, and pitched for it a tent.
   See All... and 1 Chronicles 21:29For the tabernacle of the LORD, which Moses made in the wilderness, and the altar of the burnt offering, were at that season in the high place at Gibeon.
   See All....
2. Solomon asked for wisdom and knowledge that he might “go out and come in before this people” (v.10). What is the significance of the phrase “go out and come in?” Compare the wording of the parallel verse in 1 Kings 3:9Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?
   See All.... Also consider Deuteronomy 31:2And he said unto them, I am an hundred and twenty years old this day; I can no more go out and come in: also the LORD hath said unto me, Thou shalt not go over this Jordan.
   See All...; Joshua 14:11As yet I am as strong this day as I was in the day that Moses sent me: as my strength was then, even so is my strength now, for war, both to go out, and to come in.
   See All...; John 10:9I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
   See All....
3. Compare verses 15-17 with Deuteronomy 17:14-17 [14] When thou art come unto the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, and shalt possess it, and shalt dwell therein, and shalt say, I will set a king over me, like as all the nations that are about me; [15] Thou shalt in any wise set him king over thee, whom the LORD thy God shall choose: one from among thy brethren shalt thou set king over thee: thou mayest not set a stranger over thee, which is not thy brother. [16] But he shall not multiply horses to himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt, to the end that he should multiply horses: forasmuch as the LORD hath said unto you, Ye shall henceforth return no more that way. [17] Neither shall he multiply wives to himself, that his heart turn not away: neither shall he greatly multiply to himself silver and gold.
   See All.... In what ways was Solomon disobedient to the commandments of God in Deuteronomy?

What Does It Mean to Me?

1. Of Solomon, verse one states that “the LORD his God was with him, and magnified him exceedingly.” See also how Joshua was magnified in Joshua 3:7And the LORD said unto Joshua, This day will I begin to magnify thee in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee.
   See All.... Why were these men magnified by the Lord? Has God ever magnified you in the sight of others? In what way? How can we keep from being proud when the Lord magnifies us?
2. “In that night did God appear unto Solomon, and said unto him, Ask what I shall give thee” (v.7). If God gave you the chance to ask for anything you wanted (but you could not ask for the same thing as Solomon), what would you ask for and why? Have you ever asked God for this thing? If not, why not?

Suggested Memory Verses

2 Chronicles 1:7In that night did God appear unto Solomon, and said unto him, Ask what I shall give thee.
See All..., 2 Chronicles 1:10Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people: for who can judge this thy people, that is so great?
See All...